luminism
1
9.9
- noun
- /ˈluːmɪnɪzəm/
- Specialized
- Luminism emerged as a distinct American artistic movement that celebrated the interplay of light in luminism paintings.
Examples
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"American painting was now made up of many different things" and could not be reduced to linearity or luminism; the language of this art, according to Stebbins, was not nationalistic but universal.
Academic text (2001) -
In luminism, according to Novak, the primitive tradition fuses with landscape painting to form "one of the most truly indigenous styles in the history of American art."
Academic text (2001) -
Indeed, by arguing that primitive and classical impulses culminated in luminism, Barbara Novak became the principal American proponent of Wolfflinian ideas.
Academic text (2001) -
The exhibition on luminism showcased how this mid-19th century movement transformed American landscape art.
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Artists of the luminism movement are known for their ability to capture the beauty of light and atmosphere in their works.
Surface Forms
Morphology
luminism = luminous (semi-transparent) = lumin + ism
The suffix -ism is clear, but the base is a bound light-related stem rather than an ordinary standalone English word.
Etymology
The word luminism comes from the old Latin root lumin- meaning 'light', the same root you see in luminous and illuminate. The art style is named for its focus on natural light and atmosphere, so luminism means painting that pays special attention to light.